On Sunday, Solomon allegedly called his adult daughter from jail and asked whether “any guns” were still in the house or had been confiscated. A female voice responded that investigators found three rifles and a locked pistol box but had not opened the container, the complaint states. Agents secured a new federal warrant and returned Monday, removing what they described as “numerous firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories,” including multiple semiautomatic handguns and an assault-style rifle.
Possessing any firearm while on a temporary non-immigrant visa violates federal law. If convicted, Solomon could face up to 10 years in prison on the firearm charge, in addition to potential penalties in the separate state hazardous-waste case.
Background on the Suspected Bio Lab
The criminal firearms inquiry is an offshoot of a broader local and federal effort to determine the nature of materials found at a rental property Solomon managed in a quiet Las Vegas neighborhood. LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill said Monday that the “potential biological and hazardous materials” were concentrated in a locked garage on the property.
Investigators reported finding several refrigerators stocked with vials of unknown liquids, gallon-sized containers holding additional unidentified fluids, a centrifuge and other laboratory equipment. More than 1,000 samples have been transferred to an FBI laboratory for analysis. Results have not yet been released, and authorities have not specified which organisms or chemicals may be involved.
Improper handling of organisms that could threaten public health is regulated by multiple federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which sets national biosafety standards for laboratories. Authorities have not confirmed whether any material recovered in Las Vegas falls under those rules.
Imagem: Internet
Connection to Earlier California Case
The Las Vegas residence is owned by a Chinese national who is already facing federal charges in a separate case involving an alleged clandestine biological laboratory discovered in Reedley, California, in 2023. Court records show that owner remains in federal custody after pleading not guilty in that matter. Officials have not disclosed evidence directly linking the California and Nevada sites, but they confirmed the same individual holds title to both properties.
Hazardous Waste Allegation
In addition to the firearm count, Solomon faces a Nevada state charge that he illegally disposed of or discharged hazardous waste. Prosecutors allege the materials found at the residence were stored or handled in a manner that violated state environmental regulations. Details about how long the operation had been running or the exact disposal methods allegedly used have not been made public.
Ongoing Investigation
Federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with LVMPD detectives and state environmental officials, continue to process evidence. Testing of the seized biological samples is expected to take several weeks. Authorities have not announced any additional arrests but have indicated more charges are possible once laboratory analyses are complete.
Solomon remains in custody pending an initial appearance in U.S. District Court. Court documents do not list an attorney who could comment on his behalf. A detention hearing has yet to be scheduled. Meanwhile, local health officials say there is no immediate threat to residents in the surrounding neighborhood, though they have advised anyone with information about unusual activity at the property to contact law enforcement.
Crédito da imagem: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
